Decorative wind driven sculpture

ABSTRACT

A decorative wind driven sculpture includes an elongate support member that is mounted to and extends upwardly from the ground. An exterior frame is mounted proximate an upper end of the support and is rotatable about a first axis that is generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the support member. An interior decorative component is mounted within the frame in a rotatable relative to each the frame and the support member about a second axis that is generally aligned with the first axis and the longitudinal axis of the support member. The exterior frame and the interior decorative component are independently rotated by movement of air about the first and second axes respectively.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a decorative or ornamental wind drivensculpture that is particularly suited for use in gardens, porches,patios and other outdoor environments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various wind driven sculptures presently available for bothdecorative and functional use. For example, weather vanes are mounted tobuildings and in the ground. Ornamental wind sculptures are also used ingardens, porches, patios and similar environments. To date, however,these known sculptures exhibit only a limited range of movement.Pivoting or rotating sculptures typically move about a single axis ofrotation only. Where multiple rotating parts are employed, thesecomponents are limited to rotating together in a single direction. Noknown wind sculptures are available that feature multiple parts thatrotate independently of one another about a single axis of rotation.Conventional wind sculptures certainly do not allow two decorative partsto rotate simultaneously in opposite directions about the same axis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new, unique andan aesthetically pleasing wind sculpture that employs multipledecorative components that are independently rotatable about respective,aligned axes of rotation.

It is a further object of this. invention to provide a decorative winddriven sculpture that is suited for use in gardens, yards, and in otheroutdoor locations such as verandas, porches, lanais and patios.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a decorative winddriven sculpture featuring a new and improved pivoting mechanism thatpermits an outer frame and an interior decorative component to pivotindependently and in opposite directions about a single longitudinalaxis of rotation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a decorative winddriven sculpture that features virtually frictionless and veryattractive movement.

This invention features a decorative wind driven sculpture including anelongate support member that is mounted to and extends upwardly from theground. An exterior frame is mounted proximate an upper end of thesupport member and is rotatable about a first axis, which first axis isgenerally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the support member. Aninterior decorative component is mounted within the frame and isrotatable relative to each of the frame and the support member about asecond axis of rotation that is generally aligned with the first axisand the longitudinal axis of the support member. The exterior frame andthe interior decorative component are independently rotated by movementof air about the first and second axes respectively.

In a preferred embodiment, the support member includes an elongate tubeor other cylindrical element. The device may further include a sleeve orother cylindrical component attached to the frame. The sleeve is axiallyaligned and rotatably interengaged with the tube. The sleeve may receivethe tube and bearing means may be provided for rotatably interengagingthe sleeve and the tube. The device may further include a plug orclosure fixed to and closing an upper end of the sleeve. A first bearingmay interengage an upper end of the tube and the plug to permit rotationof the plug and the sleeve relative to the tube. The first bearing mayinclude a ball bearing element.

The device may further include a spinner assembly mounted to the sleeve.The spinner assembly may include a second bearing mounted to the plug orsleeve closure, a third bearing mounted to the frame and a shaftrotatably interconnected between the second and third bearings andcarrying the interior decorative component. The interior decorativecomponent rotates with the shaft about the second axis, which is definedby the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The second bearing is mounted ina lower bearing receptacle. That receptacle may carry the plug orclosure at its lower end. The third bearing may be mounted in an upperbearing receptacle. The upper bearing receptacle is preferably securedto the frame. The second and third bearings may comprise generallyannular bushings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages will occur from the followingdescription of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred decorative wind drivensculpture in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the pivot mechanism for mountingan exterior decorative frame and an interior decorative component suchthat they are independently rotatable relative to one another andrelative to the support member;

FIG. 3 is an elevational cross sectional view of the operativecomponents of the sculpture.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of an alternative preferred designutilizing the structure of this invention.

There is shown in FIG. 1a decorative or ornamental wind sculpture 10that is mounted in the ground G. It should be understood that sculpture10 may be mounted in a wide variety of outdoor and indoor environments,including gardens, yards, lanais, verandas, porches, patios, etc. In theversion disclosed herein, the sculpture is installed in the ground.Alternatively, it may be mounted in a vase, flowerpot or other structurecarrying earth, sand or a similar supportive medium.

Sculpture 10 includes an elongate pole or support member 12. The supportmember has a lower end (not shown) which may be pointed or otherwisesharpened so that it can be readily inserted into ground G. The supportmember preferably has a generally cylindrical shape although, inalternative embodiments, non-cylindrical shapes may be utilized.Typically, the support pole comprises a piece of copper tubing, which isillustrated more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3. Support member 12 mayalternatively include other durable materials such as metals, metalalloys and plastics. A solid rod may also be employed for the supportmember. The support member may have various lengths to suit particulardecorative applications. In most cases, the lower end of the supportmember is inserted at least 12 inches into the ground. A starter hole ispreferably formed to facilitate insertion.

A decorative exterior frame 14 is mounted rotatably to an upper end ofsupport member 12. In the version disclosed, frame 14 comprises anannular or ring-like element 16 that is composed of copper wire orsimilar material. A sculptural design component 18 is welded orotherwise secured to annular member 16. Design component 18 includes afloral or sunburst pattern in this embodiment. The design component istypically constructed from copper or materials similar to that of theannular component. Welding is the preferred means of attaching theseparts although other forms of attachment may be utilized. It should alsobe understood that the frame may feature a wide variety of alternativedesigns. These may comprise sea life, marine, wildlife, floral, abstractand a virtually endless variety of patterns and shapes. Although anannular or ring-like wire component is shown herein, in alternativeembodiments that component may be eliminated or replaced by a wirehaving various other noncircular shapes. (See, for example, FIG. 4)

Decorative component 14 is pivotably or rotatably mounted to the top endof support member 12 by a cylindrical sleeve 20, FIG. 1. This pivotinginterconnection is described more fully below. As a result of thisconstruction, frame 14 is able to pivot axially about support member 12and, more particularly, about an axis that is an extension of thesupport member's longitudinal axis.

An interior decorative component 22 is rotatably mounted within frame14. In this version, decorative component 22 comprises fan-like parts orblades 24, 26 and 28, which are pivotably connected to frame 14 by aspinner assembly 30. The decorative parts 24, 26 and 28 again preferablycomprise copper or some other durable metal or plastic material. Theinterior decorative component may again have a virtually limitlessnumber of shapes or configurations.

The spinner assembly 30 includes an elongate shaft 32 to which thedecorative parts 24, 26 and 28 are welded or otherwise attached. Shaft30 is axially rotatably mounted in the frame by a pair of upper andlower bearing cups 34 and 36. Upper bearing cup 34 is welded orotherwise fixed to ring 16 of frame 14. Lower bearing cup 36 is likewisefixed to the upper end of sleeve 20. Ring 16 of frame 14 is welded,soldered or otherwise secured to one or both of sleeve 20 and bearingcup 36. As is described more fully below, the spinner assembly allowsthe interior decorative component 22 to spin independently of outerframe 14 about an axis that is again generally aligned with the axis ofsupport member 12.

The pivoting mechanisms of this invention are illustrated more clearlyin FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown therein, support member 12 comprises anelongate tubular element that is received in close, yet rotatabletolerance within sleeve 20. Sleeve 20 again preferably comprises a pieceof copper tubing (alternative materials may also be used). Lower bearingcup 36 is a generally cup shaped receptacle. Both bearing cups arepreferably composed of copper or similarly durable metals or plastics.Bearing cup 36 has a diameter that is similar to that of sleeve 20. Thelower bearing cup is engaged with and attached to the upper end ofsleeve 20. Typically, cup 36 is welded or otherwise permanently fixed tothe upper end of the sleeve. As a result, the bottom surface 40 of cup36 forms a plug or closure at the upper end of sleeve 20. See FIG. 3.This forms a bearing surface for the rotatable interconnection betweenthe support member and the frame. A first bearing 42, which comprises aball bearing or similar component (such as a polished marble) isinterengaged between the upper end of tubular support member 12 andclosure 40. Bearing 42 has a diameter that is larger than the centralopening of support member 12 but smaller than the interior diameter ofsleeve 20. As a result, bearing 42 fits within sleeve 20 and seats inthe upper end of tubular support member 12. The bearing engages thelower surface of closure 40. As a result, closure 40, bearing cup 36 andsleeve 20 (which are permanently interconnected) are able to spin orrotate relative to tubular support member 12. There is sufficientclearance between the interior surface of sleeve 20 and the exteriorsurface of support member 12 to allow the components to freely rotate.The ball bearing form of interengagement provides for relatively lowfriction rotation of the sleeve, and therefore the attached frame 14,about the support member.

Each,of the bearing cups or receptacles accommodates an annular plasticbearing portion. In particular, bearing cup 34 carries an upper bushing50 and lower bearing cup 36 carries a lower bushing 52. The bushings maybe fastened within the respective bearing cups (adhesively or otherwise)or may be loosely contained within the receptacles. A suitable plasticor other relatively friction-free material is preferred for thebushings. Each bushing has a central opening that receives a respectiveend of elongate spinner shaft 32. When the shaft is received by therespective bushings, it is permitted to rotate axially therein. As aresult, the blades or other decorative components carried by shaft 32are allowed to spin within the exterior frame. In FIG. 3, a pair ofblades 60 and 62 are shown welded or otherwise attached to the spinnershaft. In certain versions, rotation may be further facilitated byemploying a suitable grease or lubricant in one or more of the bearingcups.

The above-described construction allows the exterior frame and interiordecorative components to rotate independently both relative to oneanother and relative to support member 12 about respective axes. Theframe rotates about an axis defined by the cylindrical sleeve 20. Theinterior decorative component, e.g. blades 60 and 62, rotates about asecond axis defined by shaft 32. Both the first and second axes aregenerally aligned with one another and aligned with the axis of supportmember 12. When wind strikes the decorative sculpture 10, the exteriorframe is turned or spun and the interior decorative component isindependently rotated. These components may rotate together or inopposing directions. In either case, an attractive aesthetic ornament isachieved. The pivoting interconnection described above permits theindependent parts of the sculpture to rotate with very little friction.The sculpture is durable and exhibits a long operational life. Little,if any maintenance is required.

An alternative sculptural design utilizing the construction of thisinvention is depicted in FIG. 4. Therein, a support member 12 a carriesa decorative exterior frame 14 a in the form of a sailboat. Otherdecorative components, such as in this case a dolphin 13 a may bemounted to the support member. Once again, a sleeve 20 a is pivotablymounted to support member 12 a in a manner previously described. Aspindle assembly 30 a is mounted above sleeve 20 a and a pair ofdecorative components 70 a and 72 a comprising sails of the sailboat arewelded or otherwise permanently secured to a shaft 32 a of spinnerassembly 30 a. Shaft 32 a is rotatably mounted in bearing cups 50 a and52 a that are attached to the frame in a manner previously described.The details of construction in the earlier described version applyanalogously to the embodiment of FIG. 4.

It should be noted in FIG. 4 that the frame includes a wire element 16 athat generally traces the shape of the boat's sails. A sunburst 80 acomprised of copper or similar material is welded, soldered or otherwiseattached to wire 16 a. The upper bearing cup 50A is secured to a pennantmember 82 a.

Once again, the second embodiment described herein provides the benefitsof attractiveness, little or no maintenance and durability.

Still other modifications may be made within the scope of thisinvention. Various types of alternative bearings may be used formounting the frame to the support member and the interior decorativemember to the frame. In all cases, however, it is important that theinterior decorative component and the exterior frame be pivotableindependently of one another and that there axes of rotation besubstantially aligned with one another and with the longitudinal axis ofthe support member.

Although the ball bearing is shown as seated in the tubular supportmember, in alternative versions, it may be received within its ownbearing cup, pocket or other structure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A decorative wind driven sculpture comprising: anelongate support member including an elongate tube that is mounted toand extends upwardly from the ground, which support member has alongitudinal axis; an exterior frame mounted proximate an upper end ofsaid support member for rotating about a vertical pivot axis that isaligned with and comprises an extension of said longitudinal axis ofsaid support member; an interior decorative component mounted withinsaid frame on a vertical shaft that is rotatable within andindependently of said frame about said vertical pivot axis; a generallycylindrical sleeve attached to said frame, said sleeve being axiallyaligned and rotatably interengaged with said tube, said sleeve receivingsaid support member; and bearing means for rotatably interengaging saidsleeve and said support member; whereby said exterior frame and saidinterior decorative component are rotated independently about saidvertical pivot axis by movement of wind across said sculpture.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1 in which said bearing means include a closure carriedby said sleeve proximate an upper end thereof and a first bearing thatinterengages the upper end of the aid support member and said closure.3. The device of claim 2 in which said first bearing includes a ballbearing element.
 4. The device of claim 2 further including a spinnerassembly mounted to said sleeve, said spinner assembly including asecond bearing connected to said closure, a third bearing mounted tosaid frame, and said shaft, which shaft is rotatably interconnectedbetween said second and third bearings and carries said interiordecorative component, which interior decorative component rotates withsaid shaft about said vertical pivot axis, which is defined by alongitudinal axis of said shaft.
 5. The device of claim 4 in which saidsecond bearing is mounted in a lower bearing receptacle, which lowerbearing receptacle includes said closure, and said third bearing ismounted in an upper bearing receptacle, which upper bearing receptacleis secured to said frame.
 6. The device of claim 5 in which said secondand third bearings comprise annular bushings.